THE MANAGEMENT of Accra-based Metro TV and Mr. Carlos Sekyi, a musician and consultant, have expressed their readiness to plunge Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) into a legal tussle.

The two, who were sued for libel by COSGA, for publishing a document, bearing in its content “Lack of accountability and transparency in operation of the copyright society of Ghana, (COSGA), especially its flawed royalty distribution system that has deprived copyright owners of music, works of billions of cedis,” have prepared and filed their defenses for the libel suit against them.

This was indicated in a communiqué issued in Accra last Friday.
According to Metro TV (2nd Defendant) and Mr. Carlos Sekyi (1st Defendant), the referred publication, “COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND SOUTH AFRICA” which bears the alleged libelous statement, was not a deliberate attempt to libel or defame any organisation or its individuals.

However, the defendants said, it was to express concern and point out the weaknesses that exist in the current copyright system for correction or redress.

“Our system, as it is now needs a major overhauling, which requires proper collection, accountability and distribution system to be put in place.

A comparative study of the South African system is meant for Ghanaians, copyright owners, artistes, officials and all concerned to appreciate a better system and adapt the good parts in it to our copyright system for the better,” they stated.

Further, they noted that Ghana’s “system of collection, accountability and distribution was not efficient enough for our artistes to benefit from the fruits of their labour.”

Assuring they would not falter in the expression of their freedom to speak out the truth for the defense of copyright owners, they avowed to continue until a better and lasting solution had been put in place to enable copyright owners earn good incomes from their royalties.